5 Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Children
Childhood is a fragile stage of life. Many factors contribute to how children perceive themselves and what they grow up to be. Children find it difficult to adapt to recurrent changes when they are separated from their parents or care givers for a short period of time to attend school; some more than others. Here are 5 symptoms of separation anxiety in children.
1. Extreme emotional stress and anxiety before separation
First day in school is not exciting for many children. They are most likely to be torn apart by the fact that they will have to stay apart from their parents and form new bonds and connections. During this phase, they feel insecure, anxious and nervous. The anticipation of separation itself is the first sign that perhaps your child is dealing with separation anxiety.
2. Crying and throwing temper tantrums
Most play school teachers go through this nightmare almost every year. A child is clinging to the parent or the subject of the child’s attachment, refusing to separate from them. The child generally expresses his anxiety by crying, wailing, and does not participate in any activities or events of which their care giver is not a part of.
3. Feeling of being unsafe and vulnerable
In most cases the rationale for a child to avoid separation is his safety which he thinks is at risk. The child feels exposed, vulnerable and unsafe in an environment where his caregivers are not present. For many children this fear does not pass away with time. They feel threatened by their surroundings and tend to lack confidence.
